"Over the nearly quarter-century during which manifestly talented and straight-talking Chris Camarda has been making wine under his Andrew Will label (on Vashon Island south of Seattle) his approach – which has always favored modest alcohol and elegance over flamboyance – has evolved significantly in method as well as in focusing increasingly on single-vineyard expression." – David Schildknecht, Wine Advocate.
Winemaker Chris Camarda launched Andrew Will Cellars (Named after Chris's son Will and Nephew Andrew) with their inaugural 1989 vintage, working out of a humble 60' by 10' winery, and he has spent the last two decades producing some of Washington's most well respected wines. Structured, elegant, and age worthy, they are a singular voice that has never adjusted to chase scores or suit trends.
Although always a focus, Chris' attention to terroir has only intensified over time. Since 2001 he almost exclusive produces single vineyard blends as he feels this shows the terroir more clearly than a single varietal bottling. Currently he only sources from four vineyards that he feels provide the finest fruit, Champoux, Discovery, Two Blondes, and Ciel du Cheval.
All of the wines are treated more or less the same in the cellar; 25-35% new oak barrels, aged for around 21 months, followed by a year of aging in bottle. Production is around 4500 cases.
7d
Washington » Columbia Valley
73% Cabernet, 20% Merlot, 7% Cab Franc. 21 months in barrel. Firm in texture with a smoky core of blueberry and dark chocolate. Graphite, licorice,
Wine Spectator 93 "Powerful, focused and compelling for its layers of black cherry, mineral, animal and spice flavors, swirling together on the beautifully constructed finish. This
48 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc The Wine Advocate 92 "2011 was a difficult vintage in general for Washington, yet the wines excel here,
Wine Spectator 95 WS TOP 100 2011 Rank 32 "Impressive for its intensity and elegance, packed with black cherry, cherry, plum and spice flavors, hinting at roasted
Robert Parker 93 "The 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard is a blend of 40% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Franc, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Petit Verdot. Purple-colored,
Robert Parker 93 "Camarda’s 2003 Champoux Vineyard, from vines that average 23 years old (ancient by this state’s standards), is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon,
Wine Spectator 93 "Lithe and velvety in texture, with stacks and stacks of flavor on a fine-grained frame, this is a wine of real elegance. Currant,
Wine Spectator 95 "Tight, focused and distinctive, this sharp-edged wine shows ripe currant, spice, tobacco and coffee flavors that sneak up on you. They start slow
Robert Parker 95 "The 2007 Champoux Vineyard is a bit more deeply colored. A blend of 52% Cabernet Franc, 21% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8%
"We have struggled verbally and enologically to define our wines and those around us. We have argued for balance in the bottle and exacting viticulture
Robert Parker 94 "The 2007 Ciel du Cheval is a blend of 45% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot, and 15 % Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 40% new
Wine Spectator 92 "This has a serious grip of tannins around a rumbling core of blackberry, licorice and pepper flavors, pushing through the firm finish. Needs
Stephen Tanzer 94 "A Bordeaux blend based on 65% Cabernet Sauvignon; from Champoux Vineyard): Good bright red-ruby. Super Ripe aromas of cassis, cocoa powder,
100% Cabernet Franc from our own Two Blondes Vineyard. This fresh, medium bodied wine with ageing capabilities is extraordinarily good as well as being a
Cabernet Franc lends the aromas of dark berry fruit, tobacco, and herbs. Cabernet Sauvignon brings along it's plummy fruit, while the silky texture can be
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